Public Storage Inc., a self-storage real estate investment trust with more than 2,000 facilities, recently opened the largest facility in its portfolio in Bronx, N.Y. The 12-story facility, 385 Gerard Ave. at E. 144th St., has more than 4,000 units. The property includes free parking and off-street loading docks for large moving vans.

Growing demand for smaller-sized units at our other locations throughout greater [New York City] has led us to build this facility to meet the specific needs of local customers, said David Doll, senior vice president. Not only does our Gerard facility offer the right kind of storage at the right price, its easy access and free parking make it a convenient choice for the 687,000 New Yorkers who live within two miles of the property.

Public Storage has invested millions of dollars through local construction trades to renovate and retrofit the building including adding new roofs, mechanical systems, high-speed freight elevators and insulated exterior panels. The Gerard facility is part of a building resurgence in the area along with the Yankee Stadium and Bronx Terminal Market developments.

Grand-opening promotions include $1 for the first months rent along with discounted monthly rental rates. Storage features include restricted access, interior door-lock systems and remote-surveillance monitoring after hours.

Headquartered in Glendale, Calif., Public Storage acquires, develops, owns and operates self-storage facilities in 38 states. The company has approximately 133 million net rentable square feet in the United States, and 188 storage facilities in seven Western European countries, with 10 million net rentable square feet operating under the Shurgard brand.